Archive · 10 Sep 2026
Why Global Fighter Jets Are Training in India
India is becoming a place where air forces from different countries practice together.
During Veer Guardian 2026, Japan’s F-2 fighters are training in India for the first time.
They are flying with India’s Su-30MKI, Rafale and Tejas fighters.
India has large areas for training and many different kinds of landscapes.
Its air force also uses equipment from several countries.
This lets visiting pilots practice against aircraft and systems they may not know well.
Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor said pilots must learn how sensors and information systems work together.
Countries share some information during exercises, but they keep some details private.
Japan’s F-2 fighters are operating from India for the first time during Veer Guardian 2026.
At Jodhpur, the F-2s are training alongside India’s Su-30MKI, Rafale and Tejas fighters.
India offers visiting air forces diverse aircraft, large training airspace and varied operating environments.
Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor said modern air combat depends on sensors, information-sharing and command systems, not aircraft performance alone.
Multinational Tarang Shakti 2026 is expected to continue India’s growing role in international air-combat training.
- Who
- Japan’s F-2 fighters, India’s air force and participating international air forces, with commentary from former Vice Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor.
- What
- Veer Guardian 2026 is bringing Japanese and Indian fighter aircraft together for joint air-combat training.
- When
- During Veer Guardian 2026 in 2026; missions are planned six to eight months in advance.
- Where
- Jodhpur and other Indian training environments, including desert, high-altitude and maritime areas.
- Why
- To improve interoperability, mission planning and tactics while helping air forces understand unfamiliar aircraft, sensors and operating methods.
- Exercise
- Veer Guardian 2026
- Japanese aircraft
- F-2 fighters
- Indian aircraft
- Su-30MKI, Rafale and Tejas
- Training location
- Jodhpur, India
- Expected follow-up
- Multinational Tarang Shakti 2026
- Planning period
- Exercises are planned six to eight months in advance
- Training focus
- Sensors, command-and-control, information-sharing and combat action